The Military Manual (1993) of the Netherlands, in a chapter dealing with reprisals and referring, inter alia, to Article 54 of the 1977 Additional Protocol I, states: “No reprisals may be undertaken against objects indispensable for the survival of the civilian population (inter alia, foodstuffs, crops, livestock and drinking water installations).”

In the history of warfare, reprisals carried out have often exceeded the set limits. This has led to the current prohibition, in the humanitarian law of war and specifically in AP I [1977 Additional Protocol I], of reprisals against several groups of people and objects.

The following are now forbidden as reprisals:

…

- attacks on objects essential to the survival of the civilian population (including foodstuffs, crops, livestock and drinking water installations).